CHAMPAIGN – Fighting Illini women's basketball defeated the Valparaiso Crusaders, 73-54, on Wednesday evening. Junior Brandi Beasley and senior Alex Wittinger led the Orange and Blue with 18 and 17 points, respectively. Wittinger added 12 rebounds and two blocked shots on the night to earn her first double-double of the season and the 28th of her career. Beasley also contributed five assists and one steal on the night. In all, ten Illini contributed to Illinois' scoring and rebounding efforts against Valparaiso. UI outrebounded Valpo 51-23, overall, also holding the visitors to 34-percent shooting. With Thursday's victory, the Illini improve to 2-0 on the season. UI will host Columbia on Sunday at 1 p.m.
"We did some things well and we found some areas we needed to get better at," head coach Nancy Fahey said. "I felt that we got to the free throw line and we boarded well, and those were key factors."
Illini junior Courtney Joens got the scoring started for Illinois on Wednesday evening, as the Illini and Valpo traded baskets to start. The Orange and Blue used an early 9-0 run in the period to pull away and take a lead in the first quarter. UI shot 50-percent from the floor to open the contest, led by freshman Arieal Scott who knocked down 2-of-2 from the floor to lead Illinois with six first-quarter points.
The Orange and Blue continued to extend their lead with a 12-0 lead to start the second quarter. Senior Alex Wittinger contributed six of those 12 points in the run, and closed the first half with 13 points for the Illini. The Crusaders picked up their pace on defense to end the first half, but Illinois closed the second quarter with three straight points to take a 40-31 lead into the locker room.
Illinois shot 55-percent in the first half of play, tallying 26 points in the paint. Eight Illini recorded at least two points in the first half, while outrebounding Valparaiso 23-10.
The Orange and Blue were tough on defense to open the second half, allowing Valpo just 10 third-quarter points and holding the Crusaders to 22-percent shooting out of the break. Junior Brandi Beasley was on fire to start the half, knocking down 11 points in the third quarter. Illini Sarah Shewan was also hot in the period, knocking down four points. Redshirt junior Cierra Rice added four points as well, making 4-of-6 from the free throw line.
The Illini continued to hold on to their lead throughout the final frame, securing their second victory of the season. Illinois scored 44 of its points in the paint on the night, also adding 23 bench points. Freshman Mackenzie Blazek contributed five of those points, also totaling a team-high three blocks in her second appearance in the Orange and Blue.
NEXT UP
The Orange and Blue are set to host Columbia on Sunday, November 18 at 1 p.m. The two teams will meet for the first time in program history. Illinois will celebrate Friendsgiving on Sunday, offering buy one, get one free tickets and hosting thanksgiving crafts in the Kids Zone.
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Keep up with the Fighting Illini Women's Basketball squad on social media for an even more inside look at the program. Follow the team on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Illinois vs. Valparaiso Notes
Team Notes:
- Illinois defeated Valparaiso 73-54 on Tuesday night. The Illini maintain their perfect record in the all-time series against the Crusaders, with tonight's victory giving the Orange and Blue a 4-0 advantage.
- With tonight's victory and Illinois' 88-60 win over Alabama A&M, The Fighting Illini have now won back-to-back games by a margin of 15 points or more twice during head coach Nancy Fahey's tenure. The last pair of 15-point victories came on Dec. 3, 2017 (Illinois 63, Memphis 47) and Dec. 7, 2017 (Illinois 81, Indiana State 52).
- The Illini scored a season-best 44 points in the paint, the most for the Orange and Blue since recording 46 against Michigan on February 28, 2016.
Individual Notes:
- Senior Alex Wittinger posted her first double-double of the season and the 28th of her career, scoring a season-best 17 points, and hauling in a season-high 12 rebounds.
- Junior Brandi Beasley led the Illini in scoring, finishing with a season-high 18 points.
- Beasley recorded a season-high five rebounds in the matchup.
- Freshman Mackenzie Blazek recorded her first-career block and finished the game with three blocks total.
- Redshirt junior Cierra Rice grabbed a season-high seven rebounds in the win.
- Freshman Ariel Scott set a new season-best totaling six rebounds in the contest.
- Freshman J-Naya Ephraim swiped her first-career steal against the Crusaders.
